October 10th - 13th, 2024
Saratoga Springs Retreat Center
10243 Saratoga Springs Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485
Laura Tempest Zakroff
Visual Alchemy – From Creation to Connection
Since the beginning of time, humanity has made art as a way to affect, influence and seek order in the seen and unseen world. In turn, art has initiated civilization, crafted community, and created culture. Art is (and should be) accessible to all, helping us to explore ourselves while collaborating with others. In this lecture we’ll explore art as essential magic – not only as a tool for tapping into our own power, but also how we can connect and collectively build common ground together.
Laura is the author of several best-selling books and oracle decks based in modern traditional witchcraft. An accomplished artist and performer as well, she is known for her unique approach to sigil magic, and incorporates art into magic as a regular practice.
Learn more about Laura at: https://lauratempestzakroff.com
Crystal Blanton, LCSW
Intro to Brainspotting
”Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with Biolateral sound, which is deep, direct, and powerful yet focused and containing”.
From: https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/what-is-brainspotting/
Crystal also co-teaches with T. Thorn Coyle on how to work with those ancestors who do NOT make us proud.
Crystal Blanton, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the counseling field. She works with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings to support with concerns related to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and other life challenges.
She utilizes an anti-oppressive, culturally relevant, strength-based, and client centered approach to the therapeutic process, incorporating personal strengths in collaboration with those I work with. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, FLASH, Mindfulness and Solution Focused modalities to support the overall needs and goals of the individual.
Learn more about Crystal at: https://blantonlcsw.com
T. Thorn Coyle
Magic and Creative Flow
(Description coming soon)
Thorn will also co-teach with Crystal Blanton on how to work with those ancestors who do NOT make us proud.
T. Thorn Coyle has worked in many strange and diverse occupations before settling in to write novels. A queer, nonbinary mystic, Thorn has been a student of the magical arts for forty years and taught in nine countries, on four continents, and in twenty-five states.Author of the Seashell Cove Paranormal Mystery series, the Pride Street Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, The Steel Clan Saga, The Witches of Portland, and The Panther Chronicles, Thorn’s multiple non-fiction books include Sigil Magic for Writers, Artists & Other Creatives, Kissing the Limitless, Make Magic of Your Life, and Evolutionary Witchcraft. Thorn's work also appears in many anthologies, magazines, and collections.
An active creative, Thorn has written and co-produced four music albums, is a former professional dancer, and an avid amateur photographer. An interloper to the Pacific Northwest U.S., Thorn drinks a lot of tea, pays proper tribute to the neighborhood cats, and talks to crows, squirrels, and trees.
Learn more about T. Thorn Coyle at www.thorncoyle.com
The Well of Music and Song
An improvisational music experience facilitated by Sharon Knight and Alison Balano, two lifelong musicians who have come together as Women of the Well. We will use our voices, percussion instruments, and movement to play off of one another to tap into creative flow, which is also highly conducive to magical working.
Women of the Well:
Alison Balano and Sharon Knight are dear friends with a lifetime of music and healing arts steeped into their souls. Their work together is an act of service to humanity; priestess craft delivered through the art of music, ritual and vision. The original compositions and sacred improvisations of Women of the Well feature swirling violin, mandolin, vocal incantation, percussion and invocation. Their offering is the creation of sacred space where they custom-craft ritual to meet the needs of the moment through song, soundscape, special ceremony, rites of passage, healing ritual and celebration. At Hexenfest, Women of the Well invite you to dive deep into the well of rejuvenation and draw up healing, vitality and hope for ourselves and for all Life.
Learn more about Women of the Well here: https://www.womenofthewellmusic.com
Learn more about Sharon here: https://sharonknight.net
Learn more about Alison here: https://alisonbalano.com
Rene Collins
Magickal Qi Gong
Magickal Qigong is the blending of Taoist and Pagan approaches that create a seamless elegant magickal system that improves health and increases qi the life force energy behind all magickal effects. You will get a taste of the 5 Tonifying Regulation Exercises, that when used, removes aches and pain and build a magickal battery. If you want to learn how to create magickal health and well being you don't want to miss this great opportunity! All leaves and magickal experience are welcomed!
Rene Collins is an musician, magician and spiritual teacher with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of Magickal Qi Gong and Chi Life Force Qi Gong. He is the author of Way of the Magical Intelligence and Magickal Qi Gong Awakening the Dragon He lives, teaches online and performs on the West and East Coast.
Learn more about Rene at https://magickalqigong.com/
Interested in being a presenter? Please fill out this presenter application by May 1st!